Best Trade Schools in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Hattiesburg. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, see what trades are hiring, and learn Mississippi licensing steps. The trades below lead to steady, hands-on careers in the Pine Belt and across the state12.

Top Trade Schools in Hattiesburg

The schools below are accredited and offer career-focused certificates and degrees. Program lengths and highlights are based on public school disclosures and College Navigator profiles23.

School Program Length Highlights
Pearl River Community College – Forrest County Campus (Hattiesburg) 8 weeks to 2 years HVACR Technology, Welding, Electrical Technology, Precision Machining, Practical Nursing, workforce short courses. Regional accreditation. Hands-on labs and industry partnerships2.
Blue Cliff College – Hattiesburg 9–18 months, select associate options Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Medical Office Admin, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy. ACCSC-accredited. Day and evening schedules3.
Jones College – Ellisville (near Hattiesburg) 1–2 years Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Technology, Practical Nursing, Cybersecurity. Regional accreditation. Strong employer ties2.
Academy of Hair Design #4 – Hattiesburg 5–12 months typical Cosmetology (1,500 hours), Esthetics (600 hours), Manicuring (350 hours). NACCAS-accredited. Student salon for real-world practice.
Delta Technical College – Ridgeland (regional option) 9–20 months Welding, HVAC-R, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant. ACCSC-accredited. Day and evening cohorts for working adults3.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Perkinston/Gulfport (regional) 1–2 years Welding, HVAC, Process Operations, Maritime-related programs. Regional accreditation. Strong coastal industry links2.

Tip: Compare course outlines, lab hours, credential prep, externships, and job placement support. Check each school’s profile on College Navigator for completion and accreditation details2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician New construction, plant maintenance, and healthcare keep electricians busy in the Hattiesburg area. Employers value safety, code knowledge, and troubleshooting skills. BLS projects steady employment and solid wages for electricians nationwide1. Learn the trade path here: Electrician.

  • HVAC Technician Mississippi heat and humidity drive year-round service calls. Residential install, commercial service, and refrigeration are common career paths. EPA Section 608 is required to work with refrigerants4. Explore training and credentials: HVAC.

  • Welder Fabrication, shipbuilding along the Coast, and pipeline work all need welders. NCCER Welding credentials help prove skills to employers5. See trade overview and training tips: Welding.

  • Plumber Residential service, new builds, and light commercial projects are active. Many start as apprentices then test for local journeyman credentials. Get the basics on training and tools: Plumbing.

These pathways fit both high school grads and career changers. Most programs take under two years and include stackable industry certifications15.

Licensing Requirements in Mississippi

Rules vary by trade and project size. Always confirm with your local building department and the state board.

  • Electrical

    • Mississippi licenses electrical contractors through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) for jobs at or above threshold amounts6.
    • Typical path: get experience or complete an apprenticeship, pass trade and business law exams, show insurance and financials, then apply to MSBOC for an Electrical Contractor license6.
    • Journeyman and master electrician credentials may be issued by cities or counties. Check local requirements.

  • HVAC

    • Mechanical/HVAC contractors must be licensed by MSBOC for qualifying residential and commercial projects6.
    • Technicians who handle refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification4.
    • Employers may recognize NCCER HVACR modules for skill verification5.

  • Plumbing

    • Plumbing contractors need an MSBOC license for projects at or above thresholds6.
    • Journeyman/master plumber licensing can be local. Confirm with your city or county.
    • NCCER Plumbing credentials can support your resume5.

  • Welding

    • No state license. Employers may require welding procedure qualifications and nationally recognized credentials such as NCCER Welding5.

  • Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring

    • Training must be completed in a board-approved school. Then pass the state exams for licensure through the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology7.
    • Hour requirements are set by the Board. Schools like Academy of Hair Design prepare you for the state tests.

  • Massage Therapy

    • Complete a board-approved education program and pass the MBLEx. Apply to the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy for licensure8.

  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

    • Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit, complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training with an approved provider, pass MS skills testing, hold a DOT medical card, and apply through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety9.

Not sure where to start with on-the-job training? Read our guide to apprenticeships: How Apprenticeships Work.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid formats Many local programs blend online theory with in-person labs. This is common in HVAC, electrical code, and medical office courses.

  • Evening and accelerated cohorts Blue Cliff College and Delta Technical College often run day and evening schedules. Community colleges may offer 8-week blocks for faster completion.

  • Self-paced study Use online modules to prep for exams like EPA Section 608 and NCCER craft assessments, then test with approved proctors45.

  • Transfer and stackable credits Community college programs can stack from certificate to AAS. Ask about credit for prior learning, military experience, and industry certifications.

Before you enroll, verify accreditation, program outcomes, and licensure pass rates. See our quick checklist: Understanding Accreditation and Paying for Trade School.

Next Steps

Local demand is strong, and most programs are short. Pick a school that fits your schedule, includes real lab time, and prepares you for the exact license or certification you need.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Schools. https://www.accsc.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER, Industry-Recognized Craft Credentials. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Mississippi State Board of Contractors. https://www.msboc.us/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology. https://www.msbc.ms.gov/ ↩

  8. Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy. https://www.msbmt.ms.gov/ ↩

  9. Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Service Bureau. https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/ ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.